Finland's immigration authority, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri), has set a gross monthly salary floor of €1,600 (roughly N2.5 million) for foreigners seeking a work-based residence permit in 2026. The requirement applies to income from a single employer or multiple part-time jobs, but certain contract types and salary supplements are excluded from the calculation.
Income Threshold and Qualifying Earnings
According to Migri, the €1,600 gross monthly salary is the minimum that foreign nationals must earn to qualify for a residence permit based on employment. This figure applies regardless of whether the income comes from one employer or is spread across several employment relationships, and part-time arrangements are permitted.
However, not every earning arrangement meets the standard. Zero-hours contracts and on-demand contracts are explicitly excluded, as these agreements do not guarantee a set minimum of regular working hours between the employer and the employee.
Salary supplements, including allowances for evening or night shifts, are also left out of the income calculation. Fringe benefits such as a company car or employer-provided accommodation may count towards the total salary, but only up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the overall figure. Where fringe benefits are factored in, their taxable value as determined by Finnish tax rules is used in the assessment.
Other Conditions for Finland Work Permit Applicants
Beyond the income requirement, applicants must satisfy several other conditions. They need to have secured a job before applying, and their employer is responsible for completing and submitting the relevant terms of employment through Finland's online portal or via a paper form. The employer must also confirm that the applicant holds the professional qualifications and skills the role demands.
Certain professions carry additional obligations. Healthcare workers, for instance, must obtain authorisation to practise from the Finnish Supervisory Agency for Welfare and Health before their application can proceed.
Extension and Verification Process
When a permit holder later applies for an extension, Migri will look back at their earnings over the previous permit period to verify that the €1,600 monthly average was maintained throughout, and that the terms of employment declared in the original application were honoured.
The Finnish government has published these requirements on its official platform, and they are effective for 2026. Legit.ng has also published residency years for foreigners who want to become Qatari citizens.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Australia's Department of Home Affairs has outlined the residence requirement foreigners must meet before applying for citizenship. Applicants must have lived in Australia on a valid visa for a number of years before the date they apply for citizenship, and the rules also specify how much time applicants are allowed to have spent outside Australia during that period.
